The United States has indefinitely suspended the processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, marking one of the broadest restrictions on legal immigration in recent years under the administration of Donald Trump.
According to U.S. officials, the freeze is set to take effect January 21 and applies to people seeking to live and work permanently in the United States. It does not affect tourist, business, or other temporary visas.
The affected countries span Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand. U.S. officials said there is no set timeline for when the suspension may be lifted.
Rationale behind the decision
The U.S. Department of State said it is using long-standing legal authority — traditionally applied on a case-by-case basis — to implement a blanket pause based on nationality while immigration procedures are reassessed.
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
Pigott added that visa processing from the affected countries will remain paused while the department reviews safeguards aimed at preventing the entry of individuals who may rely on U.S. welfare and public benefits.
Independent research from organizations including the Cato Institute and the American Immigration Council has previously found that immigrants, on average, use fewer public benefits than U.S.-born citizens, a conclusion that contrasts with the administration’s justification.
Who is affected — and who is not
The suspension applies only to immigrant visas, including family-based and employment-based pathways to permanent residency. Tourist, student, and temporary worker visas are not included, nor are visas for major events such as this year’s FIFA World Cup, though officials say enhanced social media screening will continue.
Exceptions may be granted in limited cases, including:
- Applicants with dual nationality holding a valid passport from a non-listed country
- Individuals whose travel can be shown to serve an “America First” national interest
However, under guidance issued to U.S. consulates, applications that have already been approved but not yet printed must be refused under the new policy.
Family reunification is expected to be among the areas most affected, particularly for spouses, children, and close relatives of U.S. citizens who would otherwise qualify for permanent residency.
Full list of affected countries
The countries subject to the immigrant visa processing freeze are:
Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Antigua and Barbuda; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belarus; Belize; Bhutan; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Brazil; Myanmar; Cambodia; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Colombia; Côte d’Ivoire; Cuba; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Dominica; Egypt; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Fiji; The Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guinea; Haiti; Iran; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kosovo; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Liberia; Libya; North Macedonia; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Nepal; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Pakistan; Republic of the Congo; Russia; Rwanda; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Thailand; Togo; Tunisia; Uganda; Uruguay; Uzbekistan; Yemen.
Broader immigration crackdown
The move is part of a wider immigration crackdown under Trump, who has repeatedly stated his intent to reduce immigration. The State Department said earlier this week it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump returned to office — a one-year record.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security reported last month that more than 605,000 people have been deported, while an additional 2.5 million individuals left the country voluntarily.
The policy is expected to face legal and political scrutiny as its economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic impacts become clearer.